First reading Ephesians 2:19-22
In Christ you are no longer aliens, but citizens like us
You are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm 18(19):2-5
Their word goes forth through all the earth.
The heavens proclaim the glory of God,
and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
Day unto day takes up the story
and night unto night makes known the message.
No speech, no word, no voice is heard
yet their span extends through all the earth,
their words to the utmost bounds of the world.
Gospel Luke 6:12-19
Jesus chooses his twelve apostles
Jesus went out into the hills to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. When day came he summoned his disciples and picked out twelve of them; he called them ‘apostles’: Simon whom he called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor.
He then came down with them and stopped at a piece of level ground where there was a large gathering of his disciples with a great crowd of people from all parts of Judaea and from Jerusalem and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon who had come to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. People tormented by unclean spirits were also cured, and everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him because power came out of him that cured them all.
Built on Christ, Called to His Mission
In the first reading, St Paul states, “You are part of a building that has apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone.” A cornerstone is the first and most important stone laid in a building. It gives direction, alignment and strength to the entire structure. In the same way, Christ is the firm foundation of our lives. When we place Him at the centre, He guides our choices, strengthens us in difficult times, and teaches us to live each day with love and faith.
In the Gospel, Jesus spends the whole night praying before choosing the twelve apostles. Though they have different backgrounds, personalities and abilities, He calls them by name and brings them together for His mission. Jesus also calls us to join His mission. Each of us has a place, a gift and a responsibility. We are called to help Him build a community where people feel welcomed, strengthened and led closer to Christ.
Reflective question:
Is Christ truly the cornerstone of my life, and how can I use my gifts to bring people close to Him?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
